Nerve block can alleviate pain caused by initial phase of varicella zoster virus infection: historical cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nerve block for pain relief in the acute phase of herpes zoster (HZ). Study Design: A historical cohort study was conducted. Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients who visited Sendai Pain Clinic Center from January 2014 to December 2015 who were in acute phase of HZ, and less than 90 days from the onset of dermatomal rash. The exclusion criteria included patients without rash, patients on anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatment, or patients who visited our pain clinic only once. Outcome measurements included the difference between visual analogue scale (VAS) score at first visit, and at the visit three months after the appearance of a dermal rash. We used multiple linear regression models for the analysis. Results: After controlling for eight covariates, multiple linear regression found that a nerve block significantly reduced pain in the acute phase of HZ (P＝0.01). Conclusion: Comprehensive nerve block treatment can be one of the treatment options for pain in the acute phase of HZ.